Blank!

Have you ever worked hard to come up with an idea of something only to come up with a big huge blank? Yeah, the story of my life. I think I’ve even tried to focus so hard that I’ve given myself a headache… or fifty. Perhaps this is my brain trying to inform me that it just needs a rest… or I could be losing my mind. It does usually help if I just let my mind go for a while, only watch or read "fluff" (as my dad would call it), but then I get board with that and I’m pondering away once again. Do they have twelve step meetings for people who are going to think themselves crazy? If so I’m going to need their info, ASAP!

*sighs and goes in search of fluff*

First I’m Hot Then I’m Cold

No this is not a post about the weather… though where I live it could apply. This is post about my wavering motivation. Regardless I always want to feel like I’m being productive. I love knowing that I am working on something that brings me joy and to feel like I’m making progress in important areas of my life. There are times when I am so pumped and ready to go, I’m moving too fast or too much even for myself. Then there are other times when I can barely get moving. It’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t seem to motivate myself to do whatever it is I’ve planned.

Honestly, the only thing I can think of to help my situation is to avoid beating up on myself when I hit my down moments. They happen, it’s just life and everyone gets tired. Logically I know this, but when I’m not working on something I feel like I’m going stir crazy or like I’m losing my edge… which is silly, right? I’m sure we all just need to take a break everyone once in a while so when I’m “cold” perhaps I could just consider it a break and enjoy it, then when the mood hits me, hit the ground running (I totally love that saying).

Stuffed Cornish Hens

I found this one online one year when I was looking to do something different for Christmas. Though it's not Christmas I'm sure you can still enjoy it. ;)

STUFFED CORNISH HENS

1 (6 oz.) pkg. long grain and wild rice mix
1/2 c. diced celery
1 (5 oz.) can water chestnuts, sliced
1 (3 oz.) can chopped mushrooms, drained (1/2 c.)
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 tbsp. soy sauce
4 (1-1 1/2 lbs.) ready to cook Cornish game hens

Cook rice using package directions; cool. Add remaining ingredients except Cornish hens. Toss lightly to mix. Salt inside of birds and stuff and kk. Roast according to poultry roasting chart.
Serves 4.

MIA (Again)

So I’ve been missing… again. I know, bad Lauren. *slaps hand* But it I’ve been doing a lot while I’ve been away. I went to a woman’s conference with my mom and it was fabulous. It definitely helped me to bond with other women; believe it or not I’m not always so good at that. *gasp* Right, I know. Anyway, I took a lot of time to look deep within myself and acknowledge things about my life I love or want to change. Then when I got back to the day job I had 40 bagillion things to catch up on. *still trying to catch my breath* And finally life is coming to some semblance of calm so I’m back. Yay!


I’ve been working on my writing and getting a lot of editing done. I feel really good about the path my writing is taking. I can see my growth with every story I finish and I love to see how my writing is transforming for the better (at least to me anyway). Now, that life has settled back down it’s time to get back to business. Wish me luck!

I’m Turning into My Mother (Totally Random)

OMG how has this happened? I’ve been a tomboy all my life. I preferred to buy everything in grey, black and blue (the darker the better). Everything was to have as little glitter and glitz as possible, and make-up, forget it. On the other hand my mom is one of the most festive people I’ve ever seen. Glitter, sequence, bright colors galore and poor woman she’s spent her life trying to convert me (and probably wondering why she got stuck with such a dull dresser). Of course, over time, she’s decided to buy my clothes to help spruce up my wardrobe, but that only went so far and even though the clothes were cute I still resisted wearing them.

Well I don’t know what alien came and altered my brain while I’ve been sleeping, but now… things have changed. I go to the store now and buy reds, oranges, pinks and yellows. One of the last things I purchased was black but *gulp* shinny. I purposely bought a top with (oh my dear) sequence. And I have a few of pairs of leggings sporting (heaven forbid) glitter. As I checked out my wardrobe, recently, I realized that my mom must be rubbing off on me... but maybe I kinda like it so I’ll keep the little parts I’ve stolen… for now anyway. Sorry mom. :P

Tasty Beef Stew

Here I go again with the Crock Pot. I'm telling you, that thing is completely awesome. I found a recipe for easy beef stew and I want to share it. I hope you enjoy!


CROCK POT BEEF STEW

2 lbs. stew meat in 1" cubes
¼ c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 ½ c. beef broth
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic or chopped onion
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. paprika
4 sliced carrots
3 diced potatoes
1 stalk celery, diced
Put meat in crock pot. Mix flour, salt and pepper and add to meat and stir to coat meat. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix. Cover and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours or on High for 4 to 6 hours. Stir well before serving.

Far From Perfect by Portia Da Costa

FAR FROM PERFECT - Portia Da Costa

Enduring passion, turbulent emotions, and an engagement of convenience…

Anna Felgate and Nick Lisitano shared a night of passion together four long years ago, and even though the sex was perfect, the emotional aftermath and the estrangement that followed were about as far from perfect as it's possible to be. Both strong willed individualists, they've been keeping their distance ever since - even though they both secretly admit that they're still hot for each other. But the best laid plans of estranged lovers never run smoothly, and a crisis in Nick's family brings the two of them back together again. For the sake of his ailing father, Nick proposes a daring plan - a temporary engagement - and even though she knows she's playing with fire and putting her heart in deep peril, Anna is compelled to agree to it.

Can these two former lovers pull off their deception without tearing each other apart in the process?  And will they manage to resist their mutual desire and keep their hands off one another... or will they plunge headlong into an affair, perfect or otherwise?

Read an excerpt

Read a longer excerpt at Google Books

Read an excerpt and BUY from Samhain